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USS Rafael Peralta completes maiden deployment
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) returned to San Diego Sept. 3 marking the completion of the ship's maiden deployment. Rafael Peralta spent seven and a half months in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Read more....


Welcome Home: USS Carl Vinson arrives back in America's Finest City
Homeport change ....

SAN DIEGO (Sept. 2, 2020) Sailors man the rails aboard Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Vinson arrived in San Diego after conducting a homeport change from Bremerton, Washington. Vinson recently completed a 17-month regularly scheduled docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) and successful sea trials to test the recently upgraded ship’s systems. The DPIA included a system retrofit to accommodate Joint Strike Fighter mission capabilities to support F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadrons. U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Haydn N. Smith.

USS Carl Vinson arrives in San Diego
Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) arrived at Naval Air Station North Island, Sept. 2, after completing a 17-month docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility and changing its homeport from Bremerton, Wash., to San Diego. The aircraft carrier’s arrival in San Diego is a homecoming for members of the crew whose families opted to remain in San Diego during the ship’s DPIA. Vinson’s DPIA included a complete system retrofit to accommodate F-35C Lightning II mission capabilities, such as upgrades to combat systems and electrical systems. Additional efforts during DPIA involved upgrades to crew living spaces and maintenance on the ship’s hull, rudders, and shafts. USS Carl Vinson can carry more than 5,000 people and 65 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft; and has the speed, agility, and maneuverability to travel more than 5,000 nautical miles in less than seven days to arrive where needed, ready to fight.

SECDEF meets Sailors aboard USS Essex, observes ops during RIMPAC visit
Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper visited sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex, Aug. 26, to experience the Rim of the Pacific exercise — a multinational operation involving 10 nations.
The exercise has been scaled back due to COVID-19, but still had a decent turnout. Australia, Brunei, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, Korea, the Philippines, Singapore and the United States are participating. The participating nations sent 22 ships, a submarine and about 5,300 personnel.Read more....

Montford Point Marines honored on the 78th anniversary
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- In June of 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt issued an Executive Order establishing the Fair Employment Practices Commission to aid in the prevention of discrimination against African Americans in government and defense work positions. On August 26, 1942, the first African American recruits arrived to Montford Point in Jacksonville, North Carolina to conduct Marine Corps recruit training while unknowingly contributing to one of the most significant developments in Marine Corps history. Read more....



Marine Corps to build innovative wargaming center
8/25/2020
by Matt Gonzales Marine Corps Systems Command
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- The Marine Corps will soon build a state-of-the-art facility to better visualize the threat environment, gain competitive advantages and simulate future operating environments.Read more....



Battalion Landing Team 1/4 honors Marines, Sailor at memorial service
8/24/20
by 1st Lt. Pedro Caballero 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Service members and families gathered on the morning of Aug. 21 to pay tribute to nine fallen service members of Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Read more....



New skipper at NAVWAR
by Elisha Gamboa, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO – Rear Admiral Douglas Small relieved Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) Commander Rear Admiral Christian Becker in a virtual Change of Command ceremony Aug. 21 at NAVWAR Headquarters in San Diego. Read more....



3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s F-35 squadron brings home top honors
by 1st Lt. Charles Allen
MCAS MIRAMAR - Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) were recognized for their performance in Exercise Red Flag 20-3, which took place between Aug. 3-15 in the vicinity of the Nevada Test and Training Range in Southern Nevada. Read more...

		Champion, Scout and Ardent decommission by Lt. j.g. Russell J. Natherson, USS Champion Public Affairs Avenger-class mine countermeasure ships USS Champion (MCM 4), USS Scout (MCM 8) and USS Ardent (MCM 12) recognized nearly 30 years of naval service during decommissioning ceremonies onboard Naval Base San Diego this week. Read more....

Local military news

USS Tripoli headed for San Diego

PASCAGOULA, Miss. (July 24, 2020) The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli gets underway. Tripoli commissioned administratively July 15 and is scheduled to homeport in San Diego. U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Peter Burghart.



National military news
Establishment of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force
8/2020
On Aug. 4, 2020, Deputy Secretary of Defense David L. Norquist approved the establishment of an Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) Task Force (UAPTF). The Department of the Navy, under the cognizance of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, will lead the UAPTF. The Department of Defense established the UAPTF
On Aug. 4, 2020, Deputy Secretary of Defense David L. Norquist approved the establishment of an Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) Task Force (UAPTF). The Department of the Navy, under the cognizance of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, will lead the UAPTF.
The Department of Defense established the UAPTF to improve its understanding of, and gain insight into, the nature and origins of UAPs. The mission of the task force is to detect, analyze and catalog UAPs that could potentially pose a threat to U.S. national security.
As DOD has stated previously, the safety of our personnel and the security of our operations are of paramount concern. The Department of Defense and the military departments take any incursions by unauthorized aircraft into our training ranges or designated airspace very seriously and examine each report. This includes examinations of incursions that are initially reported as UAP when the observer cannot immediately identify what he or she is observing.

TAP available online for transitioning Sailors
by MC1 Mark D. Faram, Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy has suspended all in-person Transition Assistance Program classes due to social distancing rules now in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
But the Navy is not eliminating the training requirement and instead is authorizing all separating and retiring sailors to complete this requirement online, allowing them to separate on time.
Here’s what you need to know:
“Commanders must continue to ensure transitioning Service Members are prepared to reintegrate into the civilian community, especially in the challenging times we face. Vice Adm. John B. Nowell, the Navy’ top uniformed personnel official said in NAVADMIN 082/20.
Active-Duty Sailors retiring or separating are exempt from the stop movement, which means that separations and retirements will go on as scheduled, unless Sailors request and are approved to reenlist or extend
The course completion requirement is also still in place for Reserve Sailors on active-duty orders for more than 179 days as well as mobilized reservists within 60 days of redeployment and demobilization.
For those with enough time left on the books, the message recommends they simply reschedule for a later date.
Those inside their 365-days prior to separation start time or 90-days prior to separation Capstone requirement must complete their training through the Joint Knowledge Online Website. Details on the TAP virtual curriculum to include links to the training available on the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program Website.
What’s not changed is the requirement for initial Self-Assessment Counseling, Pre-Separation counseling and Capstone sessions. These can still be done in-person using proper social-distancing protocol or telephonically by command career counselors or TAP managers.
TAP related questions can be directed to Mr. Tom Albert, OPNAV N170C, at (901)-874-4254, DSN 882 or via e-mail at tom.albert@navy.mil. .





United Through Reading®
Deploying? Service members invited to record stories for family at San Diego USO
United Through Reading® is a program helping ease the stress of separation for military families by having deploying or deployed service members read children’s books aloud via DVD for their family to watch at home. This powerful program is available to all military units. It provides service members a chance to make lasting connections from afar. The DVD recording and the book are mailed to the child and family back home.
Service members who are leaving for training can also take part in this program. Being a parent is not required; service members can send the DVD & book(s) to any special child in their life such as younger sister or brother, niece, nephew or godchild.
On the day of the recording, service members are encouraged to dress in the attire they will be wearing while deployed/training, but this is not required. The room is private, so any special message, or those fun reading voices, will only be heard by the recipient of the DVD recording. USO San Diego has books available, or service members can bring their own. Our volunteers will help set up the camera and then leave the room. The DVD can hold a 30 minute recording.
Please e-mail USO San Diego Staff Member Nichole Duarte at utr@usosandiego.org to make your appointment. This program is offered at both USO San Diego centers.